Global Parents Teachers Association (GPTA) in Mumbai is calling for urgent action from the state government to bring all institutions involved with children under government purview. The association, representing parents and teachers across the state, is demanding the implementation of a long-pending policy to regulate crèches, anganwadis, nursery classes, daycare centers, and pre-primary schools.
The GPTA’s call for action comes in the wake of two cases of sexual assault on kindergarten students in Kandivli and Badlapur earlier this year. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children in schools, prompting the association to urge the chief minister to intervene.
In an appeal submitted to the chief minister and the State Child Welfare Department, the GPTA emphasized the need for immediate steps to address these incidents and protect the most vulnerable members of society. The association highlighted the increasing incidents of sexual abuse and physical assaults on minor girls in areas like Kandivli and Badlapur, stressing the importance of curbing such incidents in the future.
Rohit Dandawate, president of GPTA, raised important questions about the responsibility of institutions in ensuring the safety of children. He questioned who should be held accountable when schools lack basic facilities like toilets, drinking water, or a safe environment. Dandawate also emphasized the need for clear guidelines on safety and primary education for children under five years and how these guidelines should be enforced.
Kandivli and Badlapur have been identified as areas with a significant rise in crimes against children, particularly targeting girls. The GPTA pointed to a systemic failure in monitoring and regulating institutions catering to young children, underscoring the need for stricter safety standards to prevent abuse.
The association’s letter also raised concerns about the current responsibility of the education department in child protection, questioning which department should be responsible if the education department does not have that mandate.
To address these pressing issues, the GPTA urged the chief minister and the Child Rights Commission to take prompt measures to ensure the safety and well-being of children in institutions catering to children aged zero to five. They specifically called for crèches, anganwadis, nursery classes, daycare centers, and pre-primary schools to be brought under the jurisdiction of the primary education department.
The GPTA also emphasized the need for immediate reforms to address the lack of basic amenities and proper infrastructure in these institutions. By improving the overall environment in these facilities, the association believes that the risk of harm to children can be significantly reduced.
Currently, nurseries, kindergartens, and pre-primary schools serving children aged three to six operate without any regulatory oversight in Maharashtra. Efforts have been made to regulate pre-primary education through draft legislation submitted by the School Education Department to the state government. The proposed legislation aims to bring all pre-primary schools under state regulation as part of the National Education Policy.
Despite ongoing efforts to implement this policy, the process remains incomplete. The goal is to create a uniform curriculum and ensure quality education for children aged three to six. The State School Education Department is working towards obtaining approval for the draft legislation to regulate pre-primary schools.
In conclusion, the GPTA’s call for bringing all institutions involved with children under government purview in Mumbai is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of young children. By implementing long-pending policies and regulations, the state can better protect the most vulnerable members of society and create a safer environment for children to learn and grow.